Electrical apparatus for automatic signaling



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet I.

J. 0. WILSON. ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC SIGNALING.

No. 279,065. Patented June 5,1883.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

J. 0. WILSON. ELECTRICAL APPARAIUS FOR AUTOMATIC SIGNALING.

No. 279,065. Patented June 5,1883

WITNESSES INVENTD R; John 6174 Us 011/ u. FEIERS. mmmm w. Washington. 0. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT FFICE.

JOHN \VILSON, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC SIGNALING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 279,065, dated June 5, 1883.

Application filed January 16 1882 T0 aZZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN C. \VILsoN, of Boston, county of Suffolk, and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Apparatus for Automatic Signaling, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification.

My invention relates to a system of signaling by automatic apparatussuch as may be employed in an exchange for sending expressorders or for district-telegraph purposes when itis desired to send a large number of different messages, the objectrbeingto provide a signaling apparatus for sending any number of different predetermined signals to a central station where a permanant record will be made. For this purpose I employ a transmitting apparatus consisting of a motor for actuating a circuit-controlling device, independent of or removable from the said motor, there being as many different circuit-controlling devices as there are signals to be sent. The said circuit controlling devices are shown in this instance as perforated strips, which maybe made to produce any given signal in the Morse or other system, such signal usually consisting ofa number by which the station from which it is sent isidentified, followed by an abbreviated message indicating what is desired at the said stationsuch, for instance, as the name of the express that it is desired to have called. These messages will be received upon a self-starting register, and can consequently be preserved for further reference, if need be. Each subscriber will be provided with any desired number of the removable circuit-controlling devices or signaling-strips, which will be marked so as to enable him to readily identify them.

In addition to the mechanism by which the strip is caused tomake and break the circuit for the purpose of sending a' signal, I employ a tap -bell and a switch which controls a shunt for the said bell and circuit-breaking apparatus, the said shunt being controlled by a device which in its normal position closes the shunt and at the same time prevents access to the starting-knob for the automatic mechanism. \Vhen it is desired to send a signal the operator first moves the said device, causing it to open the shunt and at the same time render the starting-knob accessible. By thus opening the shunt the tap-bell is brought into cir- (No model.)

cuit, and will immediately indicate whether any other box in the same circuit is being operated or not. If the bell remains silent, the operator will, know that he can send a signal, and, having placed the desired signaling-strip in the box, he will start the mechanism which moves it along, it operating by itsperforations ,to make and break the circuit in the wellknown manner, and the tap-bell will respond, thus showing that the signal is being properly transmitted. If desired, a vibrating circuitbreaker may be employed at the central station, it being placed in circuit by the operator after a signal has been properly received, and

producing a vibration in the tap-bell, which will inform the subscriber of the fact that his message received.

I am aware that permanent strips having a series of parallel lines of perforations have been previously employed in connection with feeding mechanismand circuit-closers for the purpose of operating a musical instrument automatically, each key of the said musical instrument being controlled by the circuit-closer operated by one line of the said perforations, and

I do not broadly claim a mechanically-fed permanent perforated strip in combination with an electric circuit controlled by it.

Figure 1 represents a signal-box adapted for operation in accordance with. this invention, the door being shown as open; Fig. 2, an en larged section thereof, showing a portion of the perforated strip and circuit-breaker; Fig. 3, a detail of the startingknob; Fig. 4, aview of one of the permanent signaling-strips, and Fig. 5 a diagram showing the electric circuit and apparatus therein.

Each subscriber is provided with a number of circuit-controlling devices, shown in this instance as perforated strips (1, (see Figs. 2 and 4,) adapted to give all the signals that he will desire, the said circuit-controlling devicesbeing permanent and removable from or independentof the box or motor by'fwhich they are caused to effect the circuit.

The'signal-box is provided with a; hopper V or guide tube, 1), by which a strip is introduced between'the feed-rolls e (Z, which are operated by a train of wheel=work (shown in dotted lines Fig. 1,) in any usual manner, the said train being actuated bya weight or spring and gov erned bya fly or escapement in any usual manuniform movement.

A circuit-breaking lever, 'i, pivoted at 2, is provided at one end with a contact-point, i, and at its other end with an adjustable finger, i that rests up on the strips (1 or drops through a perforation thereof, thus vibrating the said lever as the strip passes beneath it, and making and breaking contact of the point i with its anvil-piece or stop j The circuit or line L enters the box at the bindingscrew 12, from which it is continued by wire 13 to the anvilp.iece j, and thence it passes to the lever i when in its normal position, as shown in Fig. 2, the said lever being connected by wire l-t with the frame-work of the machine, which is connected by wire 15 with the coils of the audible signalor tapbell T, from which the circuit is continued by wire 16 to the binding-screw 17 and line leading to the next station.

A spring, 1;, connected with the bindingscrew 17 extends toward the contact-point m, connected with the bindingscrew 12, so that when the said spring is pressed against the said point the circuit is continued directly from the screw 12 to the screw 17, thus short-circuiting the breaking-lever i and tap-bell T.

The lever n, pivoted at 20, is provided with a finger-piece, n, extending outside the case,

in position to be engaged by the finger of the operator. The other end of the lever, when in the position shown in full lines, Fig. 1, be ing held by a spring, '21", covers the opening 71, through which access is obtained to the starting-knob g of the train of wheel-work.

The bar 0, connected with the lever 11, engages (when the door of the box is closed) the spring 1.1, and presses it against the contactpoint i when the lever n is in its normal position-covering the hole 71'. hen, however, the operator desires to start the box and depress the lever n to uncover the hole 71, the rod 0 is moved downward, and permits the spring 'h to separate from the contact-point m, thus throwing the circuit-breaking lever 27 and tap-bell T into. the circuit.

If another box should happen to be in operation, the tap -bell would immediately give response, so that the operator would be warned not to start his box; but'if the tap-bell was silent he would know that it was proper for him to press the knob g and send his signal.

The signals are received on a self-starting register, R, (see Fi 5,) of usual construction, and, if desired, an automatic circuitbreaker-such, for example, as an ordinary vibrating bell, S-will be employed .filt the central oflice, andwill be introduced into the.

made by the breaking-lever '2.

The strips a, preferably made of sheet metal, are of such thickness as to raise the lever i sufficiently to break the'cireuit at i j when the finger i rests on the said strip, which will be stamped with the signal it is intended to convey, as shown.

The strip shown in Fig. l is perforated to give the Morse signal 1M AIIL, which is to indicate that the American express desired to call at station Lil. The strip is provided at its end which enters the feed-tube b with a slot, 23, to permit its end to reach and be engaged by the feed-rolls before the breaklever is affected by it.

I am aware that the receiving apparatus of a district-telegraph system has been provided with a circuit-breaker for causing an answerback signal at the box from which a message has been received, and I do not broadly claim means for producing an answenback signal.

Iclaim- 1. Ina district-telegraph system or exchange the following elements, namely: a signal-box or motor, independent removable circuitcontrolling devices adapted to be operated by the said motor, and receiving apparatus for the signals thus sent, all co-operating as described, whereby an unlimited number of different messages may be sent, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the perforated strips and feed-rolls, and actuating mechanism therefor, ot' a circuitbreaking lever, and signal instrument in circuit therewith, a shunt-circuit therefor and circuit-closer therein, a startingknob for the said actuating mechanism, and device for simultaneously con trolling the said shunt-circuit closer and access to the said starting-knob, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. In a district -telegraph system or ex change, the main circuit and signal boxes or transmitting apparatus therein provided with audible signals, receiving apparatus in the said main circuit at the main or central station, and the vibrating circuit-breaker in a branch of the main circuit at the central. station, and a key for throwing it into the main circuit, whereby the audible signal may be operated at the transmitting-box when desired for indicating that a message has been received at the central station, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses. JOHN G. VILSON. \Vitnesses B. J. NoYEs, Jos. P. LIvERMoRE. 

